Almost always a dislike of the substrate underfoot, or a box that feels too small to turn around in — perching is a cat using the box while avoiding standing in it.
It is a compromise the cat has invented, and it tells you which variable to change.
The litter
Crystals, coarse pellets and some plant litters feel unpleasant to certain cats. A finer clumping litter is the first thing to try, changed gradually.
The size
A cat should be able to turn around comfortably. Drums with a small internal diameter are tight for a large cat — PETKIT publishes 48 cm (18.9 in) of internal diameter precisely because it is the number that answers this.
The depth
Too little litter and there is nothing to stand in; too much and it is unstable underfoot. Fill to the marked line.
When to be concerned
Perching combined with straining, frequent visits or vocalizing is not a substrate question. That is a vet visit, promptly.
Last reviewed 2026-08-17